Branch closures can prompt online blowback as community members worry about employee layoffs and stranded customers. A bank's best move is to get in front of the issue and respond directly to locals' concerns.

Financial Institutions Inc. in Warsaw, N.Y., has filed to sell up to $100 million in debt and equity.

A top Justice Department prosecutor said the U.S. is prepared to punish banks for violating criminal settlements, an unprecedented move designed to crack down on repeat offenders.

A breakdown of M&A announcements in the financial services industry for the week ended March 14.

Warburg Pincus is set to sell its remaining shares of National Penn Bancshares in Allentown, Pa.

Two activist groups want regulators to investigate whether OneWest Bank used philanthropic contributions to win the support of community organizations. But this could set a precedent that would discourage banks from making much-needed donations.

Tangible book value was considered nearly sacred after the financial crisis. With the economy improving, investors are becoming more tolerant of acquirers diluting tangible book value for accretive deals.

One of the most successful startup banks in a generation is turning over its keys to a California bank. Institutional ownership and the prospect of slower growth may have prompted Square 1 to make the deal.

EverBank Financial in Jacksonville, Fla., has announced the share price of a secondary public offering by two institutional stockholders.

Western Alliance Bancorp. relishes niches with thin competition and high rewards. Its deal for Bridge Capital is no different: The seller serves small tech companies that provide high liquidity and ample fee revenue.

Dana Stonestreet, CEO of HomeTrust Bancshares in North Carolina, recently discussed his company's preferences when evaluating an acquisition. Here is a look at his checklist.

Reliance Bancshares is also talking to Tim Hortons about anchoring some of its branches, in hopes that coffee traffic will bring more business into its underutilized offices.

Glen Rock Savings Bank in Glen Rock, N.J., has agreed to buy Llewellyn-Edison Savings Bank in West Orange, N.J.

First Republic Bank in San Francisco is planning to raise more than $200 million in a public offering.

Charles "Stormy" Greef, a partner with Hunton & Williams' financial institutions team, died March 10. He was 66.

A recovering economy has all but stopped talk about loan growth. Instead, bankers are now getting grilled about deposit gathering, dealmaking and, in some instances, how they are dealing with slumping energy prices.

Community banking groups have recently struck referral deals with marketplace lenders that could add revenue in the short run, but they might be giving away potentially valuable data and customers in the process.